psychology 304: psychological testing and
TRANSCRIPT
PSYCHOLOGY 304: PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND MEASUREMENT Winter 2013—Section 003
Lecture: Monday from 4-5:50pm; Lab: Monday from 6-6:50pm
Lecture Room 359 MCKB; Lab Room 112 SWKT
Instructor: Michael J. Larson, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Office: 244 TLRB, (801) 422-6125
Office Hours: Tuesdays 9am to 10am
or by appointment
Required Texts:
1. Kaplan, R. M., & Saccuzzo, D. P. (2012). Psychological testing: Principles, Applications, and Issues (8th
ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
2. American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th ed.). New York, NY: American Psychological Association.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Evaluate Psychometric Strengths and Weaknesses: Students will effectively evaluate the psychometric
strengths and weaknesses of individual psychological tests and measurements, using both conceptual and
applied metrics. Measurement: This outcome will be measured by instructors and teaching assistants
based on: a) multiple choice exams; b) case study evaluations of existing psychological measures; c)
application of conceptual and statistical measures to students’ own course projects.
2. Create Own Psychological Measurements: Students will create their own psychological measurements
suited to specific theories and hypotheses. Measurement: This outcome will be measured by instructor
evaluation of semester-long course projects that require integration of all course material including: a)
study design; b) creation of a measure; c) data collection and analysis; and, d) written and oral
presentation of study findings.
The expected student outcomes for the psychology major can be found at:
<https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/wiki/index.php/Psychology_BS#Expected_Learning_Outcomes>. We
welcome feedback on the expected learning outcomes. Comments or suggestions can be sent to
Learning Suite: All important course materials will be posted to Learning Suite and can be accessed via your Learning Suite
account. Please check Learning Suite regularly in order to make sure you are current on assignments, grades,
and other aspects of the course.
Course Requirements: Class Attendance: Attendance is very important, as we will be dealing with issues and examples not
necessarily covered in the text. To help ensure attendance, quizzes will be used. Sixteen quizzes (worth 10
points each) will be administered throughout the semester covering the text, discussion, or assigned readings.
The lowest quiz score will be thrown out. I will learn your names and expect you will answer questions and
offer comments on the material. Some course periods will have multiple quizzes on the same day.
Lab Random Attendance Points and Quizzes: To ensure people are prepared for lab, we will have 5 random
either attendance points or quizzes each worth 10 points (total of 50 points). The quizzes will be on the
rubrics we will be going over that day in lab. So, in order to do well on the quizzes you need to read the
rubrics before lab. The documents I suggest focusing on are the Introduction Rubric, Content Validity Ratio
document, Method Section Rubric, “What do my results mean?” document, Results Section Rubric, and
Discussion Section Rubric. Odds are highest there will be quizzes on days corresponding with these
readings.
Class Preparation: I expect that you will read the material, as listed in the course schedule prior to class. This
is expected so you will better understand the topic and in order for us to have more productive discussions in
class. This will also help you better understand and retain the material. I have found that students find it easier
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to glean the most important information when they bring the PowerPoint slides to class in paper or electronic
form. If you miss class, please (a) speak to your TAs or myself and obtain notes from at least one trusted
classmate, (b) check Learning Suite for any newly posted material, and (c) attend office hours for additional
clarification when needed.
Exams: Exams will cover the readings, lectures, class discussion, practice exercises, lab exercises, and other
areas as determined by the instructor. Exam format will be discussed in class prior to each test and may
include multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, and essay responses. All exams will be
administered at the Testing Center (https://testing.byu.edu) and must be taken during the dates indicated on
the course schedule. Study guides will be provided for each exam. I encourage you to form study groups to
work on assignments and review exam material. This will help you in this class and create a model for
effective study in graduate/medical school. I also encourage you to contact me or the TAs for help when
needed. There will be no test make-ups except under extreme conditions that require prior approval. Cheating
of any kind will result in a lowered grade and other University sanctions. My door is open to discuss concerns
before and after exams.
Course Project – Test Development: The best way to evaluate performance and learning is across domains
and not solely through examinations. Thus, you will participate in a series of assignments that will allow you
to apply the concepts learned in this course. The project will be done in groups of three or four so carefully
select with whom you will work, as you will share the same grade. This project is composed of smaller
assignments, each of which addresses important aspects of research and writing. You and your group will
conceptualize and develop a psychological test, write items for the test, collect and analyze data, and provide
a brief written summary of the results of an item analysis. This process will be completed over the entire
semester, and each group will complete a final polished paper as outlined below. The assignments, including
due dates, are covered in greater detail in the lab syllabus.
Extra Credit: You can earn up to 10 points of extra credit. There are two options for extra credit from which
you may choose. First, five points extra credit can be earned for every hour you are a participant in a research
project. If you sign up for study participation on SONA I will receive a report at the end of the semester
detailing your participation. Per department policy, ten minutes of research participation is equal to 1 credit.
For this class each credit is worth one point up to 10 points (i.e., ~2 hours of research for 10 points). For the
second option, five points extra credit can be earned for turning in a two-page, double-spaced (12-point font)
summary of a peer-reviewed journal article. You can complete two of these for a total of 10 extra credit
points. The article can be from any peer-reviewed journal (e.g., from a psychology journal, a medical journal,
etc.). You can turn in extra credit throughout the term, but it is formally due IN CLASS on the last day of
class.
Grading Policy:
Your grade will be calculated on the number of points you earn from examinations, attendance, assignments,
and group project divided by the total number of points possible. A general rule of thumb for undergraduate
college courses is "2-3 hours of study out of class for every hour in class". A 'C' is an acceptable grade and a
'B' a very good grade, while an 'A' represents an outstanding level of accomplishment even in comparison
with peers who are often excellent students. We will award grades of C-, D, UW, or E only after individual
consideration concerning whether the student’s performance in the course merits such a grade.
A 808-850 95.0-100% C 621-662 73.0-77.9%
A- 765-807 90.0-94.9% C- 595-620 70.0-72.9%
B+ 748-764 88.0-89.9% D+ 578-594 68.0-69.9%
B 706-747 83.0-87.9% D 536-577 63.0-67.9%
B- 680-705 80.0-82.9% D- 510-535 60.0-62.9%
C+ 663-679 78.0-79.9% E 509 & < 59.9 & < %
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Points Possible % of Grade
Exams 500 58%
Exam I 150
Exam II 150
Final Exam 200
Course Project 150 18%
Assignment 01: Article Review
Assignment 02: Introduction
10
15
Assignment 03: Question Domain 15
Assignment 04: Method 15
Assignment 05: Results 15
Assignment 06: Discussion
Assignment 07: Abstract
15
5
Assignment 08: Writing Review 10
Assignment 09: Presentation 15
Assignment 10: Group Ratings 35
Quizzes (In Class) 150 18%
Random Lab Attendance Points and Lab Quizzes 50 6%
BYU Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their
academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in
fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the
course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress
and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective
learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each
student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
Preventing Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an
educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination
in education and pertains to admissions, academic and athletic programs, and university-sponsored activities.
Title IX also prohibits sexual harassment of students by university employees, other students, and visitors to
campus. If you encounter sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor;
contact the Equal Employment Office at 801-422-5895 or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours), or http://www.ethicspoint.com; or contact the Honor Code Office at 801-422-2847.
Students with Disabilities Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably
accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to
complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (422-2767).
Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented
disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD Office. If you need assistance
or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek
resolution through established grievance policy and procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.
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Plagiarism Policy Writing submitted for credit at BYU must consist of the student's own ideas presented in sentences and
paragraphs of his or her own construction. The work of other writers or speakers may be included when
appropriate (as in a research paper or book review), but such material must support the student's own work (not
substitute for it) and must be clearly identified by appropriate introduction and punctuation and by footnoting
or other standard referencing. The substitution of another person's work for the student's own or the inclusion
of another person's work without adequate acknowledgment (whether done intentionally or not) is known as
plagiarism. It is a violation of academic, ethical, and legal standards and can result in a failing grade not only
for the paper but also for the course in which the paper is written. In extreme cases, it can justify expulsion
from the University. Because of the seriousness of the possible consequences, students who wonder if their
papers are within these guidelines should visit the Writing Lab or consult a faculty member who specializes in
the teaching of writing or who specializes in the subject discussed in the paper. Useful books to consult on the
topic include the current Harcourt Brace College Handbook, the MLA Handbook, and James D. Lester's Writing Research Papers.
Course schedule (disclaimer: this schedule can be changed by the instructor):
Date Topic Reading Due:
01/07 Basic Concepts Chapter1
01/14 Norms and Basic Statistics
Begin Writing and Evaluating Test Items Chapter 2 & Chapter 6
01/21 NO CLASS OR LAB—MLK Holiday N/A
01/28 Finish Writing and Evaluating Test Items
Begin Correlation and Regression Chapter 3
02/04 Finish Correlation and Regression
Reliability Chapter 4
02/05 – 02/08
Late Day 2/09 EXAM I: Chapters 1-4, 6 Testing Center
02/11 Validity & Begin Test Administration Chapter 5
02/18 NO CLASS Today—Presidents Day, THERE IS CLASS
ON TUESDAY THE 19th—SEE BELOW
N/A
02/19 Finish Test Administration & Interviewing
THIS IS A TUESDAY Chapters 7 & 8
02/25 Theories of Intelligence/Binet Chapter 9
03/04 Wechsler Intelligence Scales Chapter 10
03/11 Tests of Ability in Education Chapter 11
03/12 – 03/15
Late Day 3/16 EXAM II: Chapters 5, 7-11 Testing Center
03/18 Test Review and Group Ability Tests Chapter 12
03/25 Structured Personality Tests Chapter 13
04/01 Projective Personality Tests Chapter 14
04/08 Cognitive/Behavioral Assessment Chapter 15
04/15 Neuropsychological Assessment Chapter 17
04/19 – 04/24
No Late Day FINAL EXAM: Chapters 12-15, 17 Testing Center